The Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center in Elkins Park has seen an 80% increase in its programming in response to the Israel-Hamas war and rising antisemitism, The Jewish Exponent reported.

According to the story, the programs are free for schools and “largely consist of students meeting survivors and hearing their stories.” Cheltenham High School student Freedy Kelman “was instrumental in bringing HAMEC and a survivor to Cheltenham.”

“We need to educate people, and we need to talk about it. We can’t just go silent,” Kelman said. “It went really well. A lot of kids were asking questions and coming after to learn more.”

“Before COVID, we had about 300 programs a year, and we had 40 survivors who drove themselves to the events. Now, we’re down to six survivors,” Program and Outreach Director Lise Marlowe said. “After Oct. 7, we were able to really tap into more of the Jewish student unions and high schools who were needing support. The Holocaust survivor program is something that brings people together.”

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Photo: Lisa Marlowe via Jewish Exponent